Does anyone else get comments for crating? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Heather Taylor · 04-22-2007, 10:54 AM

My family and friends all comment on how sad Chloe is in her kennel when they come over. Well, I used to let her out when they were over her but she's been stepped on twice (luckily not injured...she just yelped). She's about four pounds and has very little bones.

She is getting more freedom now that she is 6 months old. She is out for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after every trip outside to pee and poop. Then it is back in the kennel to rest for 30-45 mins before another trip outside. Chloe likes her kennel. I leave the door open and she will go in voluntarily to lie down or if we say kennel, she scoots in and looks up for a treat.

She is not having accidents in the house except pooping under the blackjack table every now and again, and everyone comments that our house doesn't smell like a dog...like they thought it would...but they go on and on, "Poor baby, locked up all the time" If I let her have free reign of the house, she'd be having accidents, plus she could get stepped on or run outside by someone who isn't used to watching out for her all the time.

She is a very vocal little girl. If she's tired of the kennel, she will bark or whine and we take her out then let her run. A lot of the time in the kennel, she naps or just lays and watches TV. Her kennel is between my recliner and hubby's recliner in the main living room where we spend most of our time. She gets lots of attention, but my folks want to know when I'm going to quit keeping her "locked up". I explained that she will probably have run of the house when she is a year old, and they are like, "Well, baby, you don't have too much longer in jail" They mean well, but it kinda makes me wonder if they think I am being cruel. I tried to explain that being angry at a dog for constant accidents in the house is cruel and that we haven't had that problem because of crate training, but they still make me feel a little guilty. Does anyone else go thru this?

P.S. I'm on pain meds after surgery on Friday, so I know my thinking is a little disjointed. Hope you guys can follow it!

FlDebra · 04-22-2007, 10:59 AM

I wouldn't worry too much -- you are doing it the way I see most advised. My hubby would not go along with crate training so..... it took us months to get house trained. They are doing well now but they took a toll on the carpet. I had to steam clean it once a week there for a while. And still a couple times we came in and smelled "dog." I know it would have gone a lot easier with crate training.

I said there will be no more puppies until we get rid of carpeting unless he relents and allows the crate training method.

Punkin&Piper · 04-22-2007, 11:02 AM

I put mine behind a baby gate in the laundry room that way they are close and able to see everyone but are safe at the same time

chachi · 04-22-2007, 11:02 AM

I wouldnt worry about the comments. You are doing the right thing for her potty training and also her safety. If they are not dog owners then they probably just dont understand the importance of it

Gingergirlsmom · 04-22-2007, 11:04 AM

You are going about it the right way, don't let the comments bother you!

MissSophie · 04-22-2007, 11:06 AM

Early on when we first got our dog, we were having trouble with potty training. Then, our vet told us that we were giving her too much freedom, and she should be in her kennel just as you described. Well, I also had a hard time with it, and I found another option when reading a book on training. It suggested the leash method. It said that we should keep her on her leash and tied to us when she was out. I worked well, although once my brother in-law asked, "Is that dog ever going to get off that leash?" She finally seemed to get what we wanted her to do, and she has been off the leash for five of her almost six years. We do keep her in the kennel during the day when we go to work, and lately, she goes in herself when I am ready to leave. One think I have always needed to remember is that I read somewhere that dogs are "den" animals, like wolves. The kennel is their den, and they feel safe there. I think that Yorkies have that way of always making us feel guilty, especially if we are not catering to their every whim. Hang in there.

DianeW · 04-22-2007, 11:33 AM

Before We Got Harvey I Read Lots About Crates, He Goes In His Crate At Night Time Only, Or If He Had To Stay Home Alone, The Rest Of The Time He Has The Run Of House. He Is House Trained Now Completely, He Is 13 Months Old.

Everyone Thinks It Is A Shame For Him To Have To Sleep In His - Jail -and Though I Dont Think He Likes It Too Much He Doesnt Object Either. I Think It Is Important That He Sleeps In It At Night, As It Also Gives Us Some Time Away From Him - He Is A Little Cling On, All The Rest Of The Time. And Though I Love Hem To Bits. I Do Need A Little Break As Well.

Anna Banana · 04-22-2007, 11:59 AM

I absolutely know what you're talking about! I get criticism all the time for "how horribly I treat my animals." This refers to the fact that my dogs stay in their kennels during potty training, or when a large number of people are over to vist. Also, I am a foster mom for orphaned kittens, and people wonder why I keep the tiny, barely able to see, unvaccinated kittens in a large cage (and I mean large-bigger than my closet). I am an animal lover, of all sorts of animals, so my house is filled with birds, reptiles, rodents, cats, dogs, even a few pet insects.

Basically, what I say when people come over is that if they want the cats and dogs to come out of their "jail cells" then I'm going to let the snakes, the lizards, the tarantulas, and the rats out of their cages as well....Needless to say, that usaually shuts them up. Maybe you could buy a snake. Lol!

Sherryabear · 04-22-2007, 12:09 PM

If you are doing it wrong , then so am I.......LOL

Gordon likes his kennel......infact, we had a crawfish boil at our house yesterday. Lots of company and he went to his kennel and got in. I think it is safer for him when many people are around, he is less likely to get hurt and he feels safer. He did stay out and play on the patio for awhile but as soon as I put his kennel out on the patio , he went and got in it.

Since he isn't 100% house train , I use just about the same time frame as you do......and when he is out of his kennel , I don't allow him free roam of the house. I only allow him free roam of the rooms that I am in to watch him.

I would ignore what others say.......sounds like you are doing a great job, and it will be rewarding for him and you when his house training is finished.

BamaFan121s · 04-22-2007, 12:29 PM

Yeah, I get similar comments sometimes. If I am having people over and know there is going to be more than the normal traffic in the house, I make sure Lexi is in her crate (since she is still being house trained) because unlike Trixie, she is very bad about getting underfoot. I have to convince people that just because she is in her crate when they are there, it doesn't mean she LIVES in there.

04-22-2007, 10:54 AM	#1
Heather Taylor Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 104	Does anyone else get comments for crating? My family and friends all comment on how sad Chloe is in her kennel when they come over. Well, I used to let her out when they were over her but she's been stepped on twice (luckily not injured...she just yelped). She's about four pounds and has very little bones. She is getting more freedom now that she is 6 months old. She is out for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after every trip outside to pee and poop. Then it is back in the kennel to rest for 30-45 mins before another trip outside. Chloe likes her kennel. I leave the door open and she will go in voluntarily to lie down or if we say kennel, she scoots in and looks up for a treat. She is not having accidents in the house except pooping under the blackjack table every now and again, and everyone comments that our house doesn't smell like a dog...like they thought it would...but they go on and on, "Poor baby, locked up all the time" If I let her have free reign of the house, she'd be having accidents, plus she could get stepped on or run outside by someone who isn't used to watching out for her all the time. She is a very vocal little girl. If she's tired of the kennel, she will bark or whine and we take her out then let her run. A lot of the time in the kennel, she naps or just lays and watches TV. Her kennel is between my recliner and hubby's recliner in the main living room where we spend most of our time. She gets lots of attention, but my folks want to know when I'm going to quit keeping her "locked up". I explained that she will probably have run of the house when she is a year old, and they are like, "Well, baby, you don't have too much longer in jail" They mean well, but it kinda makes me wonder if they think I am being cruel. I tried to explain that being angry at a dog for constant accidents in the house is cruel and that we haven't had that problem because of crate training, but they still make me feel a little guilty. Does anyone else go thru this? P.S. I'm on pain meds after surgery on Friday, so I know my thinking is a little disjointed. Hope you guys can follow it!

04-22-2007, 10:59 AM	#2
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	I wouldn't worry too much -- you are doing it the way I see most advised. My hubby would not go along with crate training so..... it took us months to get house trained. They are doing well now but they took a toll on the carpet. I had to steam clean it once a week there for a while. And still a couple times we came in and smelled "dog." I know it would have gone a lot easier with crate training. I said there will be no more puppies until we get rid of carpeting unless he relents and allows the crate training method. __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

04-22-2007, 11:02 AM	#3
Punkin&Piper Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 1,088	I put mine behind a baby gate in the laundry room that way they are close and able to see everyone but are safe at the same time __________________ Laura Punkin and Piper

04-22-2007, 11:02 AM	#4
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I wouldnt worry about the comments. You are doing the right thing for her potty training and also her safety. If they are not dog owners then they probably just dont understand the importance of it __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

04-22-2007, 11:04 AM	#5
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	You are going about it the right way, don't let the comments bother you! __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

04-22-2007, 11:06 AM	#6
MissSophie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 807 Blog Entries: 1	Early on when we first got our dog, we were having trouble with potty training. Then, our vet told us that we were giving her too much freedom, and she should be in her kennel just as you described. Well, I also had a hard time with it, and I found another option when reading a book on training. It suggested the leash method. It said that we should keep her on her leash and tied to us when she was out. I worked well, although once my brother in-law asked, "Is that dog ever going to get off that leash?" She finally seemed to get what we wanted her to do, and she has been off the leash for five of her almost six years. We do keep her in the kennel during the day when we go to work, and lately, she goes in herself when I am ready to leave. One think I have always needed to remember is that I read somewhere that dogs are "den" animals, like wolves. The kennel is their den, and they feel safe there. I think that Yorkies have that way of always making us feel guilty, especially if we are not catering to their every whim. Hang in there.

04-22-2007, 11:33 AM	#7
DianeW YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 489	Before We Got Harvey I Read Lots About Crates, He Goes In His Crate At Night Time Only, Or If He Had To Stay Home Alone, The Rest Of The Time He Has The Run Of House. He Is House Trained Now Completely, He Is 13 Months Old. Everyone Thinks It Is A Shame For Him To Have To Sleep In His - Jail -and Though I Dont Think He Likes It Too Much He Doesnt Object Either. I Think It Is Important That He Sleeps In It At Night, As It Also Gives Us Some Time Away From Him - He Is A Little Cling On, All The Rest Of The Time. And Though I Love Hem To Bits. I Do Need A Little Break As Well. __________________ Take Care - Diane and little Harvey MEMBER OF THE SPOILED ROTTEN CLUB AND PETITE PUPS UNITED

04-22-2007, 11:59 AM	#8
Anna Banana YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,025	I absolutely know what you're talking about! I get criticism all the time for "how horribly I treat my animals." This refers to the fact that my dogs stay in their kennels during potty training, or when a large number of people are over to vist. Also, I am a foster mom for orphaned kittens, and people wonder why I keep the tiny, barely able to see, unvaccinated kittens in a large cage (and I mean large-bigger than my closet). I am an animal lover, of all sorts of animals, so my house is filled with birds, reptiles, rodents, cats, dogs, even a few pet insects. Basically, what I say when people come over is that if they want the cats and dogs to come out of their "jail cells" then I'm going to let the snakes, the lizards, the tarantulas, and the rats out of their cages as well....Needless to say, that usaually shuts them up. Maybe you could buy a snake. Lol! __________________ Anna and Wobie

04-22-2007, 12:09 PM	#9
Sherryabear Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 302	If you are doing it wrong , then so am I.......LOL Gordon likes his kennel......infact, we had a crawfish boil at our house yesterday. Lots of company and he went to his kennel and got in. I think it is safer for him when many people are around, he is less likely to get hurt and he feels safer. He did stay out and play on the patio for awhile but as soon as I put his kennel out on the patio , he went and got in it. Since he isn't 100% house train , I use just about the same time frame as you do......and when he is out of his kennel , I don't allow him free roam of the house. I only allow him free roam of the rooms that I am in to watch him. I would ignore what others say.......sounds like you are doing a great job, and it will be rewarding for him and you when his house training is finished. __________________ Sherry Mommy to Oliver Dupree

04-22-2007, 12:29 PM	#10
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Yeah, I get similar comments sometimes. If I am having people over and know there is going to be more than the normal traffic in the house, I make sure Lexi is in her crate (since she is still being house trained) because unlike Trixie, she is very bad about getting underfoot. I have to convince people that just because she is in her crate when they are there, it doesn't mean she LIVES in there.